Club Super Sexe

History and Operation

Club Super Sexe opened its doors in 1978, a period when Montreal's downtown core was widely associated with a dynamic nightlife scene featuring strip clubs, discos, and adult entertainment. The club was situated on Sainte-Catherine Street West, a major thoroughfare lined with other entertainment venues in the city's central district. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Super Sexe grew to become one of the most identifiable strip clubs in Montreal, attracting both local patrons and visitors. Its longevity and prominent location made it a constant feature in the evolving character of downtown Montreal's entertainment area for nearly forty years. By the 2000s, the venue was frequently cited in articles and historical retrospectives examining the city's nightlife heritage and the transformation of its former red-light districts. Writers discussing Montreal's history have often cited Super Sexe as an example of the city's more permissive entertainment culture before the redevelopment of much downtown nightlife.

The Distinctive Neon Sign

The most defining characteristic of Club Super Sexe was its large, illuminated rooftop neon sign featuring stylized silhouettes of women in red capes suspended high above Sainte-Catherine Street. This prominent display was visible from several blocks away and became a familiar landmark on the downtown skyline for decades. The sign's distinctive imagery made it one of the best-known visual symbols associated with Montreal nightlife during the late 20th century. It came to represent the city's former reputation as a more permissive centre for adult entertainment and was later associated with Montreal's nightlife history. The sign's cultural significance was such that, after the club's closure, there were public discussions about its potential preservation as a piece of Montreal's urban history. Some commentators and nightlife historians argued that the sign had become part of Montreal cultural history due to its long-standing visibility and association with a specific era.

Closure and Subsequent Fire

Club Super Sexe ceased operations in January 2017, concluding a run of nearly 40 years as a downtown institution. The closure was part of a broader trend of redevelopment and change affecting many historic nightlife venues in central Montreal. Following the shutdown, the building at 696 Sainte-Catherine Street West stood vacant, and the fate of its notable sign became a topic of debate among urban commentators and nightlife historians. These discussions were abruptly concluded in October 2021 when a major fire severely damaged the abandoned structure. The blaze destroyed the remaining framework and components of the famous neon sign, erasing one of the street's most recognizable physical landmarks from the cityscape. The fire marked the final physical end for both the building and the sign that had defined the location for so long.

Cultural Legacy and Historical References

Super Sexe holds a notable place in the cultural memory of Montreal's entertainment history and is frequently mentioned in retrospectives about the city's former adult entertainment industry. The club is often cited as a prime example of Montreal's more permissive entertainment culture that thrived before widespread downtown redevelopment and gentrification. Its sign is remembered as a key visual landmark that contributed to the distinctive character of Sainte-Catherine Street during the late 20th century. The story of the club, from its peak popularity to its closure and the eventual destruction of its sign, is used to illustrate broader shifts in urban culture and city planning in Montreal. Writers discussing Montreal's nightlife history have consistently referenced Super Sexe as an emblematic venue from the city's past, and the establishment became especially known for its sign which later became associated with Montreal nightlife and the city's former reputation as a permissive 'sin city'.

Key Events in Club History

Club Super Sexe opened in 1978 during a period when Montreal was widely associated with nightlife and adult entertainment. The club operated on Sainte-Catherine Street West in the downtown core near other nightlife venues. During the 1980s and 1990s, it became one of the most recognizable strip clubs in the city. Its rooftop neon sign became a familiar feature of the downtown skyline. By the 2000s, the venue was often referenced in articles about Montreal's nightlife history.

• 1978: Club Super Sexe opens at 696 Sainte-Catherine Street West in downtown Montreal during a period of active nightlife.
• 1980s-1990s: The club rises to prominence, becoming one of the city's most recognizable strip clubs and nightlife destinations.
• 2000s: The venue is often referenced in articles and retrospectives dealing with Montreal's nightlife history and cultural change.
• January 2017: After nearly 40 years of operation, Club Super Sexe permanently closes its doors.
• Post-2017: Public discussions emerge regarding the potential preservation of the club's neon sign as a cultural artifact.
• October 2021: A major fire damages the vacant building and completely destroys the remaining structure of the famous neon sign.

Club Super Sexe closed in January 2017 after nearly 40 years of operation. After the closure, discussions took place regarding the future of the building and the neon sign. In October 2021, a major fire damaged the abandoned building and destroyed the remaining sign structure. Super Sexe has frequently been mentioned in retrospectives about Montreal nightlife and the city's former adult entertainment industry.

Location and Urban Context

Club Super Sexe was centrally located at 696 Sainte-Catherine Street West, placing it in the heart of Montreal's downtown entertainment corridor. This area was historically dense with theatres, cinemas, bars, and other adult venues, contributing to a concentrated nightlife district known for its permissive atmosphere. The club's location on a major east-west artery ensured high visibility and foot traffic, which were crucial to its commercial success and cultural notoriety over four decades. The surrounding neighbourhood underwent significant changes over the club's operational lifetime, with many older entertainment venues giving way to new retail, residential, and commercial developments. The closure of Super Sexe itself is often viewed within the context of this broader urban transformation affecting the city's historic red-light district culture, a process that saw the decline of many similar establishments.

Representation in Media and Public Discourse

Club Super Sexe and its sign have been consistently referenced in media and public discourse about Montreal's urban identity and historical character. The establishment became especially known for its sign, which later became associated with Montreal nightlife and the city's former reputation as a permissive centre for adult entertainment. In the years following its closure, the venue was often referenced in articles and retrospectives dealing with Montreal's nightlife history and the decline of the city's historic red-light district culture. The discussions about preserving the sign highlighted how a commercial symbol had transitioned into a potential piece of cultural heritage for some observers within the community. The eventual destruction of the sign by fire in 2021 provided a definitive endpoint for these discussions and solidified the club's status as a historical subject rather than a physical place, ensuring its story would be told through memory and media rather than through a preserved artifact.

Questions about Club Super Sexe

What was Club Super Sexe?

Club Super Sexe was a well-known strip club located in downtown Montreal, Quebec, at 696 Sainte-Catherine Street West. It operated from 1978 until January 2017, becoming one of the city's most recognizable adult entertainment venues. The club was especially famous for its large rooftop neon sign featuring stylized women in red capes. It is frequently referenced in discussions about Montreal's historic nightlife and entertainment culture.

Where was Club Super Sexe located?

Club Super Sexe was located at 696 Sainte-Catherine Street West in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The club operated on Sainte-Catherine Street West in the downtown core near other nightlife and entertainment venues. This location was central to Montreal's historic nightlife and adult entertainment district. The site became a well known landmark for nearly four decades from 1978 until its closure.

Why was Club Super Sexe famous?

Club Super Sexe became especially famous for its large rooftop neon sign showing stylized women in red capes suspended above Sainte-Catherine Street. This illuminated display was visible from several blocks away and became a familiar feature of the downtown skyline. The sign later became associated with Montreal nightlife and the city's former reputation as a permissive sin city. Operating from 1978, the club itself became one of the best known adult entertainment venues in Montreal and a recognizable part of the city's cultural scene.

When did Club Super Sexe close?

Club Super Sexe closed in January 2017. This marked the end of nearly 40 years of operation, having first opened in 1978. Its closure was part of a broader decline in Montreal's historic red light district culture and nightlife scene. The shutdown prompted discussions about the future of the building and the preservation of its well-known neon sign as a piece of cultural history.

What happened to the famous neon sign?

The famous neon sign was destroyed in a major fire in October 2021. After the club's closure in January 2017, discussions had taken place regarding whether the sign should be preserved as part of Montreal's cultural history. The fire damaged the abandoned building and ultimately destroyed the remaining sign structure. Some commentators and nightlife historians had argued the sign had become a significant part of the city's nightlife heritage before its loss.

What is the cultural significance of Club Super Sexe?

Club Super Sexe holds cultural significance as a frequently cited example of Montreal's more permissive entertainment culture before widespread redevelopment and gentrification. It has been mentioned often in retrospectives about Montreal nightlife and the city's former adult entertainment industry. The club's sign became one of the more recognizable nightlife landmarks on Sainte-Catherine Street during the late 20th century. Writers discussing the city's history often reference Super Sexe to illustrate the character of downtown nightlife in earlier decades.

Sources and further reading

• Club Super Sexe (Wikipedia)
• Montréal Used to Be Canada's 'Sin City.' What Happened? (sevendaysvt.com)
• Club Super Sex, Abandoned Strip Club, Montréal, Quebec (ominous.app)
• Montréal's historic Red-Light District (mtl.org)
• Montreal's Club Super Sexe sign will soon be taken down (globalnews.ca)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-11-01.